Pages

Saturday, July 07, 2007

Real World Math ( PS Librarian Needed)

Since NECC I have come to appreciate the importance of the role of librarian. Unfortunately we do not have a librarian and so I find myself trying to fill the role of research assistant along with my job as principal. I have already begun looking for the money to hire a librarian because based on Joyce's talks I see the role in a whole new light. The librarian is an essential resource to support information literacy for teachers and students alike.

In the meantime though ...I spend some of my time looking for resources and I stumble don this website today for Real World Math. I have not delved very deeply but I like what I saw and maybe it will be useful for you too! PS- The link is to the front page which includes some other things- for Math check out the left sidebar "Algebra in the Real World"

Hey, hate to be cranky, but I've looked at several of these videos and don't see much math. Like in the K'nex video (toy inventors), there's lots of talk about what a cool job it is, and concludes something about if you can dream it, you can build it, but doesn't say HOW...

There was no mention of if they come up with their designs through trial and error, if there are simulation programs, how they tune their finished products, or anything else that would show a student some sort of math in action.

SylviaThanks for the heads up..I was not clear enough in my link. Take a look at the left side bar and visit the Algebra in the Real World. These video's come with lesson plans.I linked to the front page because I thought that there was other cool stuff there too.

Carolyn- I hope i can find the money soon...we need the help of a good librarian!

Sylvia--if you enjoy math discussion, you might enjoy reading the blogs Kitchen Table Math and Parentalcation. Both bloggers are parents who are trying to fight the good fight for real math instruction where they live. Both have taken to reteaching their children so they will be ready for high school. I've enjoyed learning about the pros (Singapore and Kumon) and cons (touchy feely math) of different math curriculums from them.

Hi, your blog seems to be really nice!! Are you interested in exchanging links? My blog is at http://changingtechnology.blogspot.com/ and it’s about the latest gadgets and the technology used. Do let me know if you are interested. I too will put up a link to your blog on mine. Thanks.

Barbara, I am so happy to be able to point to your blog as a "principal who has vision!" I can't thank you enough for letting me sit in today in the Valenza session, even if it was virtual. I fear I may have kept you from giving it plenty of attention, but I am still glad and feel ever so blessed to be virtually invited in. If you see my skype active tomorrow during the day and I'm not already chatting with a group Skype your in, please consider inviting me. Good luck in the search for a school library media specialist. I'm sure your vision will help you get a great person in this position.